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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - What God Has Joined Together | May 9, 2025
- ♪ music ♪
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- [announcer] from the pulpit of the first baptist church
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- Of dallas, texas,
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- This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
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- Hi, robert jeffress,
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- And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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- The foundational principle for marriage
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- In the bible is this,
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- One man with one woman for life.
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- That's very clear.
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- But does god allow exceptions to this rule?
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- And in the event of a divorce,
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- Is it okay for a christian man or woman to find a new mate?
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- Today, we're going to examine what the bible says
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- About divorce and remarriage.
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- My message is titled, what god has joined together,
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- On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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- ♪ music ♪
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- [announcer] think about a child in your life who needs
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- To put their faith in jesus.
- 00:00:57.213 --> 00:00:59.082
- How do you explain the gospel to them
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- In a way they can understand.
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- In "the gift: the gospel for children,"
- 00:01:02.485 --> 00:01:04.854
- Dr. robert jeffress presents the gospel message
- 00:01:04.854 --> 00:01:07.457
- In a way that's clear and engaging.
- 00:01:07.457 --> 00:01:09.659
- The book also includes a salvation prayer for you to pray
- 00:01:09.659 --> 00:01:12.495
- With your child or grandchild.
- 00:01:12.495 --> 00:01:14.264
- Give your child the most important gift
- 00:01:14.264 --> 00:01:16.332
- They'll ever receive,
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- The opportunity to begin a relationship with jesus christ.
- 00:01:17.867 --> 00:01:21.171
- Request your copy of "the gift" at ptv.org.
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- ♪ music ♪
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- Someone has said that there are two processes
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- That should never be entered into prematurely,
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- -embalming, -(congregation laughing)
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- And divorce.
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- No, actually both of those processes
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- Have something in common.
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- They both involve death.
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- I think we all know this evening that divorce
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- Is not the preferred way to handle marital conflict.
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- We also know from a superficial reading of the scripture
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- What god's attitude toward divorce is.
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- The bible says god hates divorce.
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- Now, it doesn't say he hates divorced people,
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- But he does hate the process of divorce
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- Because of what it does.
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- Divorce not only is the death of a relationship,
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- But it brings death,
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- Destruction to those involved in the relationship.
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- And yet even though most of us here tonight
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- Realize god doesn't care for divorce,
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- I think most of us here tonight, if we thought about it,
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- Could think of one or two circumstances
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- In which we would think maybe god would permit a divorce.
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- We can think of situations
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- In which we would counsel other people,
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- Perhaps we would even allow ourselves to divorce.
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- And yet there's probably not a consensus
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- Among christians about what those circumstances are.
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- Today, there is a lot of confusion in the church
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- About the subject of divorce and remarriage,
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- And the result is christians are divorcing at a record rate.
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- In fact, the divorce rate for christians
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- Is exactly the same, in some studies,
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- Actually higher than the divorce rate among non-christians.
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- Not only that children are being irreparably scarred
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- Because of divorce,
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- And most importantly the cause of christ
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- Is being severely damaged in the world.
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- If christians divorce at the same rate as non-christians,
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- What is the sense in being a believer?
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- Actually that's nothing new.
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- The same confusion about the question of divorce
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- And remarriage was occurring in the church at corinth,
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- And that's why paul devoted an entire chapter
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- To answering questions
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- About this very controversial subject.
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- If you have your bibles tonight,
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- I want you to turn to 1 corinthians 7.
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- Well, let me say tonight that if at the end
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- Of these next few weeks you come to the conclusion
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- That you divorced your mate
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- And perhaps remarried somebody else
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- For other than biblical reasons,
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- Let me suggest to you that the right course of action
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- Is for you to confess that mistake to god
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- To ask for his forgiveness.
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- Remember, divorce is not the unpardonable sin.
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- To ask for his forgiveness and then purpose in your heart
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- That you and your mate will have the best christian marriage
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- You can possibly have.
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- You'll be the finest christian husband,
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- You'll be the finest christian wife you can be.
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- God can cause all things to work together for good
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- To those who love him and are called
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- According to his purpose.
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- I don't understand how that works,
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- But god is able to do that.
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- But under no circumstance am i suggesting
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- That you need to dissolve your current marriage
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- And go back to your former mate.
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- In fact, as we'll see in a few weeks,
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- God's word prohibits you doing that.
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- To do that is to make a mockery out of marriage.
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- So to those of you already divorced and remarried,
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- God can grant forgiveness
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- If it's for other than biblical reasons.
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- But my purpose tonight and over the next few weeks
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- Is to counsel those of you who have not divorced,
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- And to say to you that the bible
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- Has some very clear instruction
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- Of what god's plan for marriage is.
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- You may find yourself in a situation
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- Where you're counseling with a son or daughter,
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- A grandchild, a friend, about this important issue,
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- And it's important for you to know what god's word says
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- And doesn't say about divorce and remarriage.
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- Now, i find in the church that christians
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- Tend to go to one of two extremes
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- When it comes to this issue of divorce and remarriage.
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- There are many christians who say divorce for any reason,
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- Divorce for any reason.
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- If you're not fulfilled, if you're emotionally abused,
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- If you're physically incompatible,
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- If you don't like the person's in-laws,
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- Whatever reason,
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- God doesn't want you to go through life,
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- These people say, miserable.
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- And so the most important thing in your life
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- Is your happiness.
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- Therefore, if you want to get divorced,
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- You can divorce for any reason whatsoever.
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- Now, clearly that is not god's standard
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- As we're going to see tonight.
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- But there's another extreme that people go to in the church
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- And that is divorce for no reason.
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- Some say divorce for any reason,
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- Others say divorce for no reason.
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- If you make that thou,
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- The bible does not allow you to divorce and remarry
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- For any reason at all.
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- That is an equally unbiblical position.
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- The bible does give some reasons,
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- Some allowances for divorce and remarriage
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- That we're going to look at over the next several weeks.
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- Now folks, if we are going to be a church
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- That is built on the inerrant, infallible word of god,
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- Then we have to allow the bible
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- To be the final authority in this subject
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- Of divorce and remarriage.
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- It means we don't diminish, we don't lessen the standards,
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- But it also means we don't be like the pharisees
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- And exceed the standards of god's word.
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- We have to preach what the bible teaches about the subject.
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- Now, when we get to chapter verse 10,
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- Paul is going to answer some questions about divorce
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- And remarriage.
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- If i am unhappy, am i permitted to leave my mate?
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- What if i become a christian
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- And the person i married when i wasn't a christian
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- Remains a non believer?
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- Does god want me to leave an unbelieving mate
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- And marry a believing mate?
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- What if my unbelieving mate deserts me, or divorces me,
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- Or commits adultery, am i free to divorce and remarry?
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- And what about the case of my mate's death?
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- Does my mate's death allow me to remarry?
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- Well, paul is going to answer
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- All of those questions beginning in verse 10,
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- And tonight we're going to look at the universal principle
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- For marriage and it's stated in verses 10 and 11.
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- Paul says, he's been talking to singles, now he says,
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- "but to the married i give these instructions, not i,
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- But the lord, that the wife should not leave her husband,
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- But if she does leave, she must remain unmarried,
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- Or else be reconciled to her husband,
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- And that the husband should not divorce his wife."
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- Now we're going to leave those words in parenthesis
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- Until next week.
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- Let's look at the general principle.
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- Paul says, "i give this instruction, but it's not i,
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- The lord is the one who's given this instruction."
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- What does he mean by that?
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- Remember last week when he talked about the advantages
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- Of being single?
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- Paul said, "now this didn't come from the lord,
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- This is my word."
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- Now paul says, "this is what the lord himself said,
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- That the wife should not leave her husband
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- And that the husband should not divorce his wife."
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- That is god's universal principle for marriage.
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- Not to say there are not some exceptions,
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- We'll get to those,
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- But the general principle is a husband and wife
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- Are to remain together.
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- Now, what does paul mean that the lord himself
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- Address the subject?
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- Where did jesus talk about the subject of divorce
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- And remarriage?
- 00:09:23.452 --> 00:09:24.754
- In several passages, but the foundational passage
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- Is found in matthew 9.
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- Turn back to matthew 19, pardon me.
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- Matthew 19 where jesus in depth talk about the subject
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- Of divorce.
- 00:09:38.634 --> 00:09:40.036
- And it all began with a question from the pharisees.
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- Look at matthew 19:3.
- 00:09:43.839 --> 00:09:47.476
- "some pharisees came to jesus,
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- Testing him and asking,
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- "is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife
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- For any reason at all?""
- 00:09:58.054 --> 00:10:00.690
- Now, when the pharisees asked jesus this question,
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- They didn't do so sincerely.
- 00:10:05.494 --> 00:10:07.396
- They didn't have this question
- 00:10:07.396 --> 00:10:09.198
- That was burning in their hearts,
- 00:10:09.198 --> 00:10:11.000
- That they really wanted to know the answer to.
- 00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:13.302
- In fact, the bible says they were testing jesus.
- 00:10:13.302 --> 00:10:17.573
- Why?
- 00:10:17.573 --> 00:10:19.141
- Because they were trying to get jesus, put him in a box,
- 00:10:19.141 --> 00:10:22.011
- So that no, how he answered this question
- 00:10:22.011 --> 00:10:25.715
- He was going to lose.
- 00:10:25.715 --> 00:10:28.017
- They wanted to put him in a box
- 00:10:28.017 --> 00:10:30.886
- Because they knew if he answered it the wrong way,
- 00:10:30.886 --> 00:10:33.522
- He could either discredit his ministry
- 00:10:33.522 --> 00:10:36.325
- Or he could even shorten his life.
- 00:10:36.325 --> 00:10:39.228
- But notice how jesus skillfully responded
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- To their questions.
- 00:10:42.565 --> 00:10:43.766
- It begins in verse 4.
- 00:10:43.766 --> 00:10:46.135
- Jesus saw this one coming.
- 00:10:46.135 --> 00:10:47.837
- He replied, "have you not read,"
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- You're the pharisees,
- 00:10:51.006 --> 00:10:52.241
- You're supposed to know the old testament,
- 00:10:52.241 --> 00:10:54.243
- "have you not read that he who created them
- 00:10:54.243 --> 00:10:57.113
- From the beginning made the male and female, and said,
- 00:10:57.113 --> 00:11:01.050
- "for this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother
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- And be joined to his wife,
- 00:11:03.953 --> 00:11:05.721
- And the two shall become one flesh?"
- 00:11:05.721 --> 00:11:08.157
- So they are no longer two but one.
- 00:11:08.157 --> 00:11:11.160
- What therefore god has joined together,
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- Let no man separate."
- 00:11:14.096 --> 00:11:16.132
- Now, at first glance,
- 00:11:16.132 --> 00:11:17.533
- You might think jesus is avoiding the subject
- 00:11:17.533 --> 00:11:19.635
- By going back to the book of genesis.
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- Not at all.
- 00:11:21.837 --> 00:11:23.139
- What jesus was saying is this whole complex issue
- 00:11:23.139 --> 00:11:26.242
- Of divorce and remarriage can really be answered
- 00:11:26.242 --> 00:11:29.278
- And unraveled when you understand god's original design
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- For marriage.
- 00:11:33.182 --> 00:11:34.483
- And i want you to notice in these three verses
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- Three important principles that will answer 90%
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- Of your questions about divorce.
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- You ready to write them down?
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- Here they are.
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- First of all, our mates are designed to compliment us,
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- Not to irritate us.
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- Our mates are designed to compliment us, not to irritate us.
- 00:11:52.535 --> 00:11:57.339
- Look at verse 4.
- 00:11:57.339 --> 00:11:58.774
- Verse 4 says,
- 00:11:58.774 --> 00:12:00.209
- "and he who created them created them male and female."
- 00:12:00.209 --> 00:12:06.282
- Now, if you've been in church for any length of time at all,
- 00:12:07.483 --> 00:12:09.585
- You've probably heard some pastor rail on this verse,
- 00:12:09.585 --> 00:12:13.656
- About god created them male and female,
- 00:12:13.656 --> 00:12:16.492
- Probably saying something like,
- 00:12:16.492 --> 00:12:17.693
- "when god created the first couple,
- 00:12:17.693 --> 00:12:20.229
- He didn't create adam and steve, it was adam and eve."
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- Haven't you heard that before?
- 00:12:25.267 --> 00:12:26.902
- And they use this verse, male and female, male and female.
- 00:12:26.902 --> 00:12:30.806
- Now that's true.
- 00:12:30.806 --> 00:12:31.807
- That's absolutely true.
- 00:12:31.807 --> 00:12:33.943
- But the more i've studied this verse,
- 00:12:33.943 --> 00:12:35.578
- The more i realize his reason for saying this
- 00:12:35.578 --> 00:12:39.348
- Is not the emphasis on the gender,
- 00:12:39.348 --> 00:12:41.851
- The real key is the emphasis on the number.
- 00:12:41.851 --> 00:12:45.154
- He who created them created them not males and females,
- 00:12:45.154 --> 00:12:50.426
- But male and female.
- 00:12:50.893 --> 00:12:54.430
- When god created the first couple,
- 00:12:54.430 --> 00:12:56.665
- He created two and only two.
- 00:12:56.665 --> 00:13:00.970
- Remember, in genesis 2:18, he said to adam,
- 00:13:01.871 --> 00:13:06.141
- "adam, i'm going to make you a helper
- 00:13:06.141 --> 00:13:08.677
- Who is suitable for you."
- 00:13:08.677 --> 00:13:10.479
- That word suitable means opposite you.
- 00:13:10.479 --> 00:13:14.016
- I'm going to fashion you a wife
- 00:13:14.016 --> 00:13:16.252
- Who is uniquely designed for you.
- 00:13:16.252 --> 00:13:18.954
- And in fact, when we get down to verse 22 of genesis 2,
- 00:13:18.954 --> 00:13:21.790
- The bible says, "and god fashioned the woman for the man."
- 00:13:21.790 --> 00:13:25.628
- That word fashion, benuy, in hebrew means built.
- 00:13:25.628 --> 00:13:28.764
- He built eve for adam.
- 00:13:28.764 --> 00:13:32.334
- He custom made her for adam.
- 00:13:32.334 --> 00:13:35.537
- And ladies and gentlemen,
- 00:13:35.537 --> 00:13:37.039
- The same is true with the mate that god has given you.
- 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:39.375
- Your mate has been custom designed by god
- 00:13:39.375 --> 00:13:42.912
- To meet your physical, your spiritual, your emotional needs.
- 00:13:42.912 --> 00:13:47.549
- And there is nobody out there any better suited
- 00:13:47.549 --> 00:13:51.453
- To meet those needs than that husband
- 00:13:51.453 --> 00:13:53.722
- Or that wife god has given you.
- 00:13:53.722 --> 00:13:56.892
- That's what he's saying here.
- 00:13:56.892 --> 00:13:58.827
- God created them male and female.
- 00:13:58.827 --> 00:14:01.430
- Our mates were designed to compliment us,
- 00:14:01.430 --> 00:14:04.066
- Not to irritate us.
- 00:14:04.066 --> 00:14:05.401
- They are god's custom made mate just for us.
- 00:14:05.401 --> 00:14:09.872
- Secondly, jesus teaches in this passage
- 00:14:09.872 --> 00:14:12.174
- That marriage creates an unbreakable bond
- 00:14:12.174 --> 00:14:15.010
- Between a husband and wife.
- 00:14:15.010 --> 00:14:16.445
- Look at verse 5,
- 00:14:16.445 --> 00:14:17.479
- "for this reason,
- 00:14:17.479 --> 00:14:18.914
- A man shall leave his father and mother and shall,"
- 00:14:18.914 --> 00:14:21.850
- Some translations say, "cleave,"
- 00:14:21.850 --> 00:14:23.686
- Others say, "shall be joined to his wife,
- 00:14:23.686 --> 00:14:26.889
- And the two shall become one flesh."
- 00:14:26.889 --> 00:14:29.959
- That word joined or cleave is a word that means
- 00:14:29.959 --> 00:14:32.995
- To create an unbreakable bond.
- 00:14:32.995 --> 00:14:36.899
- An unbreakable bond.
- 00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:39.301
- Now, when i was growing up and going to grade school,
- 00:14:39.301 --> 00:14:42.604
- Of course the big deal in august was to go with your parents
- 00:14:42.604 --> 00:14:46.041
- To go buy your school supplies.
- 00:14:46.041 --> 00:14:47.409
- Remember those treks to the drugstore,
- 00:14:47.409 --> 00:14:49.211
- Wherever to buy the construction paper, and the scissors,
- 00:14:49.211 --> 00:14:51.914
- And the crayons,
- 00:14:51.914 --> 00:14:53.449
- But usually on every list was required glue.
- 00:14:53.449 --> 00:14:56.852
- Now, most normal families,
- 00:14:56.852 --> 00:14:58.554
- People would buy the elmer's glue.
- 00:14:58.554 --> 00:15:01.223
- Remember the elmer's glue
- 00:15:01.223 --> 00:15:02.558
- And the little squirt bottles and so forth?
- 00:15:02.558 --> 00:15:04.994
- My family was so cheap, we would never buy the elmer's glue.
- 00:15:04.994 --> 00:15:09.331
- Instead, we would buy that paste.
- 00:15:09.331 --> 00:15:13.402
- You remember that paste that came in the jar
- 00:15:13.402 --> 00:15:16.405
- That had the plastic applicator and it would come out
- 00:15:16.405 --> 00:15:19.775
- And that was big clumps?
- 00:15:19.775 --> 00:15:21.810
- And the morons in the class would actually eat the stuff.
- 00:15:21.810 --> 00:15:27.082
- Remember that?
- 00:15:27.449 --> 00:15:28.250
- (congregation laughing)
- 00:15:28.250 --> 00:15:30.052
- And that's just as well
- 00:15:30.052 --> 00:15:31.353
- Because it would never hold anything together.
- 00:15:31.353 --> 00:15:34.123
- It was cheap, but it never, never worked.
- 00:15:34.123 --> 00:15:38.460
- Now you contrast that stuff with what came on years later,
- 00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:42.131
- Super glue.
- 00:15:42.131 --> 00:15:43.265
- You ever use super glue?
- 00:15:43.265 --> 00:15:44.933
- I mean one little dabble do , you put in there, quack!
- 00:15:44.933 --> 00:15:48.437
- It creates a bond, an unbreakable bond.
- 00:15:48.437 --> 00:15:51.140
- Now, when jesus says a man shall leave his father and mother
- 00:15:51.140 --> 00:15:53.976
- And cleave to his wife,
- 00:15:53.976 --> 00:15:55.511
- He's talking about creating not that pasty kind of bond,
- 00:15:55.511 --> 00:15:59.481
- But that super glue kind of bond.
- 00:15:59.481 --> 00:16:02.317
- When you come together with your husband or wife,
- 00:16:02.317 --> 00:16:05.020
- God's intention is that there be that unbreakable bond,
- 00:16:05.020 --> 00:16:08.490
- Not just physically but spiritually and emotionally as well.
- 00:16:08.490 --> 00:16:13.228
- And that's god's plan for marriage.
- 00:16:13.228 --> 00:16:15.330
- It's interesting how this word cleave
- 00:16:15.330 --> 00:16:17.566
- Is used elsewhere in scripture.
- 00:16:17.566 --> 00:16:19.902
- For example, remember the story of ruth
- 00:16:19.902 --> 00:16:23.972
- And her mother-in-law, naomi.
- 00:16:23.972 --> 00:16:27.009
- Anybody who has ever been to a wedding
- 00:16:27.009 --> 00:16:30.079
- Or had a wedding performed by dr. criswell
- 00:16:30.079 --> 00:16:32.114
- Can recite the story of ruth and naomi a verbatim.
- 00:16:32.114 --> 00:16:35.717
- He would use it in every wedding ceremony.
- 00:16:35.717 --> 00:16:38.754
- It's a great one to use in a wedding ceremony.
- 00:16:38.754 --> 00:16:41.023
- Ruth and naomi were bound together.
- 00:16:41.023 --> 00:16:46.261
- Ruth was married to naomi's son.
- 00:16:46.895 --> 00:16:48.230
- But when ruth lost her husband,
- 00:16:48.230 --> 00:16:50.232
- And naomi lost her husband as well,
- 00:16:50.232 --> 00:16:53.102
- Naomi assumed that ruth would go back to her home country
- 00:16:53.102 --> 00:16:56.405
- And remarry.
- 00:16:56.405 --> 00:16:57.806
- But ruth didn't want to do that.
- 00:16:57.806 --> 00:16:59.408
- And we find this beautiful passage of scripture
- 00:16:59.408 --> 00:17:02.978
- In ruth 1:14, it says,
- 00:17:02.978 --> 00:17:05.714
- "and they lifted up their voices and wept again;
- 00:17:05.714 --> 00:17:08.817
- Now, orpah," that's not oprah, that's orpah,
- 00:17:08.817 --> 00:17:13.222
- That was naomi's other daughter-in-law
- 00:17:13.222 --> 00:17:15.491
- Who had also lost her husband,
- 00:17:15.491 --> 00:17:17.459
- "orpah kissed her mother-in-law."
- 00:17:17.459 --> 00:17:20.696
- How did ruth respond to her mother-in-law?
- 00:17:20.696 --> 00:17:22.531
- She clung to her.
- 00:17:22.531 --> 00:17:24.766
- There's that word, she had that unbreakable bond.
- 00:17:24.766 --> 00:17:28.203
- "and ruth said,
- 00:17:28.203 --> 00:17:29.605
- "please do not urge me to leave you or turn back
- 00:17:29.605 --> 00:17:31.874
- From following you from where you go, i will go,
- 00:17:31.874 --> 00:17:35.377
- Where you lodge, i will lodge.
- 00:17:35.377 --> 00:17:37.713
- Your people will be my people,
- 00:17:37.713 --> 00:17:39.314
- And your god, my god.
- 00:17:39.314 --> 00:17:42.017
- Where you die, i will die, and there i will be buried.
- 00:17:42.017 --> 00:17:45.888
- Thus may the lord do to me, and worse,
- 00:17:45.888 --> 00:17:48.357
- If anything but death parts you and me.""
- 00:17:48.357 --> 00:17:53.095
- Boy, what a contrast to so many couples today?
- 00:17:53.996 --> 00:17:58.100
- "you're thinking about moving to another city
- 00:17:58.100 --> 00:18:00.736
- For another job?
- 00:18:00.736 --> 00:18:01.937
- Well, you're going to go without me."
- 00:18:01.937 --> 00:18:04.239
- What a contrast to wherever you go, i will go,
- 00:18:04.239 --> 00:18:07.976
- Wherever you lodge, i will lodge?
- 00:18:07.976 --> 00:18:10.345
- Or, "i can't take that mother-in-law anymore.
- 00:18:10.345 --> 00:18:14.983
- It's either your mother or me, but not both of us."
- 00:18:14.983 --> 00:18:19.288
- What a contrast to your people shall be my people?
- 00:18:19.288 --> 00:18:23.892
- You see, god intends for marriage
- 00:18:24.626 --> 00:18:26.595
- To be that super glue kind of bond.
- 00:18:26.595 --> 00:18:29.731
- Jesus said it creates an unbreakable bond.
- 00:18:29.731 --> 00:18:33.068
- But that word cleave is not only used
- 00:18:33.068 --> 00:18:35.304
- To describe the relationship
- 00:18:35.304 --> 00:18:36.572
- Between people like ruth and naomi,
- 00:18:36.572 --> 00:18:38.440
- God also uses that word
- 00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:40.175
- To describe our relationship with him.
- 00:18:40.175 --> 00:18:43.011
- In deuteronomy 10:20, the bible says,
- 00:18:43.011 --> 00:18:45.914
- "you shall fear the lord your god;
- 00:18:45.914 --> 00:18:48.050
- You shall serve him and cling to him,"
- 00:18:48.050 --> 00:18:51.386
- There's the word, "and you shall swear by his name."
- 00:18:51.386 --> 00:18:55.324
- Or joshua 22:5,
- 00:18:55.324 --> 00:18:57.226
- "only be very careful to observe the commandment
- 00:18:57.226 --> 00:18:59.728
- And the law which moses the servant of god commanded you,
- 00:18:59.728 --> 00:19:03.298
- You're to love the lord your god and walk in all of his ways
- 00:19:03.298 --> 00:19:06.935
- And keep his commandments,"
- 00:19:06.935 --> 00:19:08.270
- And here's the word,
- 00:19:08.270 --> 00:19:09.438
- "hold fast," or cleave,
- 00:19:09.438 --> 00:19:11.240
- "to him and serve him with all of your heart
- 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:14.109
- And with all of your soul."
- 00:19:14.109 --> 00:19:16.411
- Can you imagine god saying to us,
- 00:19:16.411 --> 00:19:18.780
- "now, i want to be your god
- 00:19:18.780 --> 00:19:21.450
- And i want you to worship me as your god,
- 00:19:21.450 --> 00:19:24.219
- Unless of course another god comes along
- 00:19:24.219 --> 00:19:26.655
- That you're more attracted to,
- 00:19:26.655 --> 00:19:28.624
- Then you're free to worship him."
- 00:19:28.624 --> 00:19:30.058
- Can you imagine god saying that?
- 00:19:30.058 --> 00:19:32.127
- Or god saying to us,
- 00:19:32.127 --> 00:19:33.362
- "i want you to cling to me and love me
- 00:19:33.362 --> 00:19:35.397
- With all of your heart,
- 00:19:35.397 --> 00:19:37.366
- Unless, of course, you fall out of love with me,
- 00:19:37.366 --> 00:19:41.003
- Nothing lasts forever, then you're released from your bond."
- 00:19:41.003 --> 00:19:45.207
- Such a thought is ridiculous.
- 00:19:45.207 --> 00:19:47.643
- Regardless of our changing affections
- 00:19:47.643 --> 00:19:49.945
- Or changing circumstances,
- 00:19:49.945 --> 00:19:51.713
- We are to remain bound in our covenant relationship
- 00:19:51.713 --> 00:19:55.350
- With god.
- 00:19:55.350 --> 00:19:56.585
- Now, he uses that very same word
- 00:19:56.585 --> 00:19:59.454
- To describe the marriage relationship.
- 00:19:59.454 --> 00:20:02.524
- It doesn't matter if your feelings change,
- 00:20:02.524 --> 00:20:04.559
- It doesn't matter if your circumstances change,
- 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:07.429
- You are to keep that commitment you have made to your mate.
- 00:20:07.429 --> 00:20:12.334
- Marriage creates that kind of unbreakable bond.
- 00:20:12.334 --> 00:20:16.705
- And then number three, in this passage,
- 00:20:16.705 --> 00:20:18.840
- Jesus reminds us that every marriage is orchestrated by god.
- 00:20:18.840 --> 00:20:24.079
- Look at verse 6.
- 00:20:24.446 --> 00:20:25.847
- "so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.
- 00:20:25.847 --> 00:20:29.985
- What therefore god has joined together,
- 00:20:29.985 --> 00:20:32.587
- Let no man separate."
- 00:20:32.587 --> 00:20:35.190
- That's obvious that god arranged the union
- 00:20:35.190 --> 00:20:38.360
- Between adam and eve.
- 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:40.062
- The bible says in genesis 2:22,
- 00:20:40.062 --> 00:20:42.698
- "after god fashioned the woman for the man,
- 00:20:42.698 --> 00:20:45.534
- He brought his new creation, eve,
- 00:20:45.534 --> 00:20:48.036
- He brought her physically to the man."
- 00:20:48.036 --> 00:20:52.240
- He orchestrated that relationship, no doubt about it.
- 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:56.178
- But how do we know this applies to us?
- 00:20:57.012 --> 00:21:00.248
- When god says,
- 00:21:00.248 --> 00:21:01.683
- "therefore a man shall leave his father and mother
- 00:21:01.683 --> 00:21:03.952
- And shall cleave to his wife
- 00:21:03.952 --> 00:21:05.153
- And the two shall become one flesh,"
- 00:21:05.153 --> 00:21:07.255
- He's obviously not referring just to adam and eve.
- 00:21:07.255 --> 00:21:10.359
- How do i know that?
- 00:21:10.359 --> 00:21:11.760
- Well, because adam didn't have a father to leave.
- 00:21:11.760 --> 00:21:14.396
- He had no father and mother to leave and go to his wife.
- 00:21:14.396 --> 00:21:17.632
- So what jesus and moses are doing is,
- 00:21:17.632 --> 00:21:20.902
- They're taking the story of adam and eve
- 00:21:20.902 --> 00:21:23.071
- And they're expanding it
- 00:21:23.071 --> 00:21:24.306
- To include god's plan for all of us.
- 00:21:24.306 --> 00:21:28.076
- And what jesus is saying is just as god brought eve
- 00:21:28.076 --> 00:21:32.647
- To adam, so god brought your mate to you.
- 00:21:32.647 --> 00:21:36.985
- What god has joined together, let no man separate.
- 00:21:36.985 --> 00:21:43.625
- I can look back and i can see god's hand
- 00:21:44.493 --> 00:21:47.863
- Orchestrating every detail that brought amy into my life,
- 00:21:47.863 --> 00:21:52.334
- Starting back in the seventh grade.
- 00:21:52.334 --> 00:21:54.403
- Every detail supernaturally worked together
- 00:21:54.403 --> 00:21:57.539
- To bring us together.
- 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:59.408
- And i bet you can do the same with your mate.
- 00:21:59.408 --> 00:22:01.309
- You can look back and see how god brought you
- 00:22:01.309 --> 00:22:04.746
- And your mate together.
- 00:22:04.746 --> 00:22:06.648
- What therefore god has joined together,
- 00:22:06.648 --> 00:22:09.184
- Let no man separate.
- 00:22:09.184 --> 00:22:11.920
- Here's what jesus is saying.
- 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:14.456
- When you consider that god has supernaturally
- 00:22:14.456 --> 00:22:18.660
- Created your mate just for you,
- 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:22.130
- When you understand that marriage
- 00:22:22.130 --> 00:22:23.765
- Creates an unbreakable bond between you and your mate,
- 00:22:23.765 --> 00:22:27.235
- When you remember all of the circumstances
- 00:22:27.235 --> 00:22:29.805
- That god put together to bring you and your mate together,
- 00:22:29.805 --> 00:22:32.774
- How could you possibly think of destroying
- 00:22:32.774 --> 00:22:36.711
- That relationship that god has created?
- 00:22:36.711 --> 00:22:40.081
- But pastor, what if my mate abuses me?
- 00:22:40.916 --> 00:22:47.722
- What if my mate abandons me?
- 00:22:48.323 --> 00:22:51.226
- What if my mate commits adultery and will not repent?
- 00:22:51.226 --> 00:22:55.263
- What if my mate dies and leaves me alone?
- 00:22:56.131 --> 00:22:59.668
- Aren't there some exceptions to this one man with one woman
- 00:23:00.836 --> 00:23:04.339
- For life principle?
- 00:23:04.339 --> 00:23:06.208
- Of course there are,
- 00:23:06.208 --> 00:23:07.876
- And we're going to talk about those next time.
- 00:23:07.876 --> 00:23:11.346
- But here's the point,
- 00:23:11.346 --> 00:23:12.481
- When you understand god's principle,
- 00:23:12.481 --> 00:23:17.252
- God's foundational principle for marriage,
- 00:23:17.252 --> 00:23:19.788
- It really uncomplicates a lot of those thorny issues.
- 00:23:19.788 --> 00:23:23.291
- And god's foundational principle is this,
- 00:23:23.291 --> 00:23:26.595
- One man with one woman for life.
- 00:23:26.595 --> 00:23:30.866
- What god has joined together, let no person separate.
- 00:23:30.866 --> 00:23:36.238
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:23:36.238 --> 00:23:42.143
- What therefore god has joined together, let no man separate. that is god's foundational principle for marriage
- 00:23:42.143 --> 00:23:47.115
- That is god's foundational principle for marriage
- 00:23:47.115 --> 00:23:50.385
- And the guiding light for every marriage.
- 00:23:50.385 --> 00:23:53.421
- Now in the time remaining today,
- 00:23:53.421 --> 00:23:55.257
- I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone
- 00:23:55.257 --> 00:23:58.126
- Who supports "pathway to victory"
- 00:23:58.126 --> 00:24:00.629
- Through their prayers and financial gifts.
- 00:24:00.629 --> 00:24:03.331
- Your partnership is truly making an eternal difference
- 00:24:03.331 --> 00:24:07.002
- In countless lives across our nation and around our world.
- 00:24:07.002 --> 00:24:11.373
- Every day we receive messages from viewers who share
- 00:24:11.373 --> 00:24:14.509
- How this program has helped strengthen their faith,
- 00:24:14.509 --> 00:24:18.046
- Restore their hope,
- 00:24:18.046 --> 00:24:19.414
- Or introduce them to jesus for the very first time.
- 00:24:19.414 --> 00:24:23.018
- These life-changing stories are only possible
- 00:24:23.018 --> 00:24:26.021
- Because of friends like you who have chosen
- 00:24:26.021 --> 00:24:28.223
- To invest in this bible teaching ministry.
- 00:24:28.223 --> 00:24:31.626
- So thank you for standing with us
- 00:24:31.626 --> 00:24:33.461
- As we together pierce the darkness
- 00:24:33.461 --> 00:24:36.431
- With the light of god's word.
- 00:24:36.431 --> 00:24:38.500
- Now please stay right there,
- 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:39.968
- I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
- 00:24:39.968 --> 00:24:42.871
- In just a moment.
- 00:24:42.871 --> 00:24:44.239
- The most important task a parent or grandparent has in life
- 00:24:45.373 --> 00:24:49.377
- Is to lead their child or grandchild to faith
- 00:24:49.377 --> 00:24:51.947
- In jesus christ.
- 00:24:51.947 --> 00:24:53.381
- Yet many don't know where to begin.
- 00:24:53.381 --> 00:24:55.617
- That's why i've written "the gift: the gospel for children,"
- 00:24:55.617 --> 00:24:59.354
- A beautifully illustrated book
- 00:24:59.354 --> 00:25:01.456
- Designed to help you share the gospel
- 00:25:01.456 --> 00:25:03.458
- With the children you love.
- 00:25:03.458 --> 00:25:05.594
- [announcer] the gift provides a clear presentation
- 00:25:05.594 --> 00:25:07.929
- Of the gospel for your child or grandchild,
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- And make sharing the life-changing message of simple.
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- Plus, you'll receive an instructional dvd message
- 00:25:13.902 --> 00:25:16.705
- From dr. jeffress that you can watch together
- 00:25:16.705 --> 00:25:19.174
- With your child.
- 00:25:19.174 --> 00:25:20.709
- You can give this book to your children or grandchildren
- 00:25:20.709 --> 00:25:23.044
- To read on their own, or better yet,
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- Read it together to begin a rewarding spiritual journey
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- That will shape their eternity.
- 00:25:29.451 --> 00:25:31.553
- At the end of my book, i've included a prayer for salvation
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- They can pray to trust in christ as their savior.
- 00:25:35.090 --> 00:25:39.160
- [announcer] help your child or grandchild
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- Make the decision to follow jesus christ.
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- To support the ministry of "pathway to victory."
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- And when your ministry gift is $75 or more,
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- We'll also send you "straight answers to tough questions,"
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- Chapters one through nine on both dvd and audio disc.
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- Thank you for partnering with "pathway to victory."
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- Together, we're preaching the gospel to as many people
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- As possible and equipping parents and grandparents
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- To lead the children they love to faith in jesus christ.
- 00:26:07.188 --> 00:26:10.759
- ♪ music ♪
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- You may be watching "pathway to victory" today
- 00:26:13.995 --> 00:26:16.231
- And suffering from the realities of a devastating divorce.
- 00:26:16.231 --> 00:26:20.735
- Perhaps you're wondering,
- 00:26:20.735 --> 00:26:22.237
- Dr. jeffress, does god make exceptions to this one man
- 00:26:22.237 --> 00:26:26.241
- With one woman for life principle?
- 00:26:26.241 --> 00:26:28.877
- Well, the answer is yes, he does make exceptions.
- 00:26:28.877 --> 00:26:31.946
- In fact, he even lays out some very specific instances
- 00:26:31.946 --> 00:26:35.750
- When divorce and remarriage are permissible,
- 00:26:35.750 --> 00:26:39.254
- And we'll venture into that relevant topic next time.
- 00:26:39.254 --> 00:26:42.791
- Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
- 00:26:42.791 --> 00:26:45.160
- In our series, "straight answers to tough questions."
- 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:49.798
- From the very beginning,
- 00:26:49.798 --> 00:26:51.066
- God's foundational principle for marriage
- 00:26:51.066 --> 00:26:53.468
- Has been one man with one woman for life.
- 00:26:53.468 --> 00:26:57.739
- That's the foundation for marriage.
- 00:26:57.739 --> 00:27:00.542
- But what happens when there are cracks in that foundation?
- 00:27:00.542 --> 00:27:04.012
- Well, that's what we're going to look at tonight.
- 00:27:04.012 --> 00:27:06.314
- Does the bible ever permit for divorce and remarriage?
- 00:27:06.314 --> 00:27:10.652
- [announcer] set your dvr and join us next time
- 00:27:10.652 --> 00:27:12.854
- For the message,
- 00:27:12.854 --> 00:27:14.222
- The divorce question here on "pathway to victory."
- 00:27:14.222 --> 00:27:14.222